Elsa created herself one sweet castle. I still find it impressive that she was able to build that bad boy all on her own. Let’s take a look at some of the other amazing castles that we have seen animated throughout history (this includes CGI castles too!) and see what might have inspired Elsa to create her own masterpiece.

10. The Disney Logo

I know, it might not be intricate, but this castle is so recognizable, I am sure that just looking at it has hit you with a wave of nostalgia, and now the little theme song is running through your head as you read this.

9. King Triton’s Castle from The Little Mermaid

He has one of the most unique castles that I have ever seen before, and it is pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Plus, I can’t help but get “Under the Sea” stuck in my head whenever I see it. If only I were a mermaid…

8. Merida’s Castle in Brave

Okay, just look at the location of that place. Who wouldn’t want to live there? Plus, it has all of those awesome secret passages!

7. Beast’s Castle in Beauty and the Beast

He might not have the most recognizable castle on the outside, but on the inside we have magic and wonder galore, plus an amazing library that I am completely jealous of.

6. Howl’s Moving Castle

This might be the most bizarre castle yet–and we love that about it!

5. Maleficent’s Castle from Sleeping Beauty

This castle is certainly memorable, even if you wouldn’t want to necessarily live there…

4. Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series

Now I know for a fact that we all want to live there, with it’s moving staircases and magic and talking portraits and just complete and total awesomeness.

3. The White Witch’s Castle from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Normally, this castle might rate a little lower on the Awesome-o-Meter, however, it got bumped up a little because I’m pretty sure that this was Elsa’s main inspiration for her own fortress. She and the White Witch could have gotten along well…

2. Rapunzel’s Castle from Tangled

Maybe it’s those lights, but it really makes her castle look so ridiculously beautiful and perfect. I wish I could live there!

1. Anastasia’s Castle from Anastasia

The whole dancing scene was so beautiful, and while we never did see all that much of the outside of the castle, the inside was so skillfully done; evolving from a dilapidated building to a powerful and masterful castle from Anastasia’s memory.

Honorable Mentions: The Emperor’s palace in Mulan (there is a plethora of fireworks which would make it so much fun to live there!), Prince Eric’s castle in The Little Mermaid (seaside adjacent!), the temple from The Road to El Dorado (mainly because it is filled to the brim with gold…), Mount Olympus from Hercules (because that kind of looks like a castle, and it’s pretty cool), and the Sultan’s palace in Aladdin (because that was so different in comparison to all of our other Disney castles, which is always fun.)

What are some other animated castles that have wowed you?

About Alissa Roy

Alissa is a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, studying Media Arts & Technology. Her hometown is in the Middle-of-Nowhere, NY, where winter is approximately 6 months of the year. She is extremely nerdy, and loves all things animated, literary, or Harry Potter related. Her older sister spawned her love of animation by dragging her downstairs at 2 a.m. every morning and making her watch various films until their parents took them back to bed. Some of her all-time favorite films include Mulan, The LEGO Movie, Up, Tangled, and The Lion King. She also collects old Peanuts comic strips, and spends her free time reading, writing for the Rotoscopers, and working a variety of jobs. You can follow Alissa on Instagram and Twitter: @ThisAlissa. See her work here.

Max den Hartog

Great list! I’d love to see Elsa’s palace and the Arendelle palace on this list, but I guess you did not do that because Frozen isn’t released yet. I think castle DunBroch should’ve ended higher on the list 😉

I second on Beast’s castle as one of my favorites. I remember seeing the film for the first time and when the story opens to the castle and haunting music, it sets the tone for a place that is beautiful but secluded, isolated, and mysterious. You’re tempted to get closer but afraid that something strange is going on.
As the film goes on we get to see the magic and wonder inside…so perhaps the castles reflect the personalities of the people who live there. Gotta love animators for their time and diligence to create them.

Not Without

Agreed, Beast’s castle is a character in the film. I’m not sure in any of these cases that is also the case. I love the replica at Disney World, it’s really magical. Maybe Hogwarts, but Beast’s castle was a stage for so much drama. It was also very much alive. If I had to spend a day somewhere, it would probably be there..maybe Triton’s first.

Alex

Can’t really see Elsa and the White Witch getting along at all. Elsa is the essence of selflessness and nobility while the White Witch is just pure evil. They’re kind of polar opposites (no pun intended) of good vs. evil, if you think about it. If anything, they’d probably end up battling each other (and Elsa would win).

To this list, I’d also definitely add King Stefan’s castle from Sleeping Beauty and the king’s castle in Cinderella (especially for its interiors).

Fadi Antwan

Hmmm I always thought Anastasia lived in a flat-roof palace, not a castle, and I personally wouldn’t place it at number. This article was a fun read nonetheless. Mine would look very different though.

Great list! In retrospect I think Cinderella’s castle is my favourite – it’s what I think of when I hear ‘fairytale’. And I just love Mary Blair’s influence during the ball/garden scenes – there’s something so whimsical and enchanting about it.

Awesome article, it was really clever to include some lesser known ones like Howl’s Moving Castle! Makes it more interesting

I am surprised that Cinderella’s castle and Agrabah Palace (Jasmine’s palace) did not make the list as they are the most iconic. And I think Eric’s palace was more gorgeous than most of these but oh well, everyone has their favorites! 🙂